FREMONT — Ima Joy Kibbel, 83, a former beauty shop owner known for kind acts to others at her church, died Wednesday in Country Side Continuing Care Center, where she had been a patient two days.

She died of cancer, said the Rev. David Damschroder, pastor of Grace Brethren Chapel, where Mrs. Kibbel was a member.

“She enjoyed practicing hospitality, encouragement, and caring for others,” Pastor Damschroder said. “She was a wonderful cook and baker and loved to share that gift with others in the church.”

The former Ima Smith was born Aug. 16, 1930, in Camden, Ark. She attended high school there and was a production control employee at a plant that made rockets for the Navy that were used in the Korean War.

Mrs. Kibbel moved to the Fremont area after the war and joined her siblings in the restaurant business. She eventually owned and operated Taylor’s Restaurants, which controlled the dining facilities at the service plazas on the Ohio Turnpike, Mr. Damschroder said.

She married Lyle Kibbel in 1967. They lived in Oak Harbor, Ohio, where she owned Joy’s Beauty Shop. After Mr. Kibbel retired, the couple moved to Mebane, N.C. She returned to Fremont about 2005 after Mr. Kibbel died. She earned a degree in management from the Academy of Beauty Culture in Toledo.

Surviving is her sister, Billie Moffatt.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. Thursday in Grace Brethren Chapel, Gibsonburg, where a memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Thursday. Crosser Funeral Home is handling arrangements.